Hardimon is currently the percussion caption head for the Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps, a World Class drum corps from Denver, Colorado. He travels to Japan several times a year to work with percussion ensembles, marching bands, and drum corps.
Ralph’s involvement as a Signature Artist with Vic Firth sticks & mallets amplifies the already strong relationship between the Bushwackers and Vic Firth.
Hardimon’s performance experience started in the late sixties with the Los Angeles Police Band, and later the Velvet Knights and Anaheim Kingsmen drum & bugle corps. He taught and studied with Fred Sanford and studied with Charles Dowd at the University of Oregon.
Following Fred Sanford’s departure after the 1980 season, Hardimon became Director of Percussion for the Santa Clara Vanguard from 1981 through 1990. During this time, SCV won four High Percussion awards (1978, 1979, 1988, 1989) and three DCI World Championships. Hardimon served as a consultant for SCV from 1997-2000. He has scored music for many other corps (including Blue Knights from 1990-2001), as well as college percussion ensembles and marching bands. He has worked for Disney and bowl games such as the Citrus Bowl, Orange Bowl, and Super Bowl.
Hardimon received Grammy nominations for Jazz and Rhythm and Blues. He was inducted into the DCI Hall of Fame in 2000, inducted into the Santa Clara Vanguard Hall of Fame in 2014, and received the “Life Time Achievement Award” from Sabian Cymbals in 2005.
The Bushwackers are excited to have Ralph as an integral part of the 2015 Bushwackers. His experience and talents add to an already seasoned design staff.